Paddle the waters of the park's largest manmade lake and float by cascading Huntington Falls and around Strawberry Hill, a mini island rising from the middle. You can rent rowboats and paddle boats by the hour.

Paddle the waters of the park's largest manmade lake and float by cascading Huntington Falls and around Strawberry Hill, a mini island rising from the middle. You can rent rowboats and paddle boats by the hour.

Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Paddle the waters of the park's largest manmade lake and... Photo-13215565.147527 - SFGate

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Spreading out a blanket and listening to the Golden Gate Park Band

Performing in a band shell between the Academy of Sciences and the de Young Museum, this symphonic band has been filling the park with big sounds since 1882. Free concerts run every Sunday at 1 p.m. through the summer.

Performing in a band shell between the Academy of Sciences and the de Young Museum, this symphonic band has been filling the park with big sounds since 1882. Free concerts run every Sunday at 1 p.m. through the

Performing in a band shell between the Academy of Sciences and the... Photo-10490778.147527 - SFGate

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Pulling up an Adirondack chair at the Park Chalet on a warm evening

Is there a better place to be on a day when the weather in the city is even nice at the coast? Pull up a chair on the grassy lawn, order a beer sampler and let the kids run around on the grass at this cafe on the lower level of the Beach Chalet, just where Golden Gate Park meets the Pacific Ocean.

Is there a better place to be on a day when the weather in the city is even nice at the coast? Pull up a chair on the grassy lawn, order a beer sampler and let the kids run around on the grass at this cafe on

Is there a better place to be on a day when the weather in the... Photo-1881076.147527 - SFGate

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Walking over the moon bridge in the Japanese Tea Gardenx

This slice of zen in the middle of the park is one of the best places in the city for a meditative walk. And they have cookies and tea in the tea house.

This slice of zen in the middle of the park is one of the best places in the city for a meditative walk. And they have cookies and tea in the tea house.

Photo: David Wasserman/Getty Images

This slice of zen in the middle of the park is one of the best... Photo-13215566.147527 - SFGate

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Walking over the moon bridge in the Japanese Tea Gardenx

Taboola Gallery Frame Item-85307.147527 - SFGate

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Gawking at the fish swimming around the rainforest tunnel at the Academy of Sciences

A clear-glass tunnel passes through the museum's 100,000 tank at the floor of its Osher rainforest exhibit and features exotic fish native to the Amazon. Cichlids dart through the roots of mangrove trees and giant arapaima soar overhead.

A clear-glass tunnel passes through the museum's 100,000 tank at the floor of its Osher rainforest exhibit and features exotic fish native to the Amazon. Cichlids dart through the roots of mangrove trees and

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Studying the Depression Era murals in the lobby of the Beach Chalet

The Beach Chalet was originally a city-run restaurant when it opened in 1925, and during the Depression the Work Progress Administration (WPA) put many artists to work by commissioning murals in locations around the city. One of those places was the lower floor lobby of the restaurant that's now a small museum. The frescoes depict scenes from four areas of the city: the beach, Golden Gate Park, Fisherman's Wharf and the Marina and include notable S.F. figures such as John McLaren who was superintendent of Golden Gate Park for 53 years.

The Beach Chalet was originally a city-run restaurant when it opened in 1925, and during the Depression the Work Progress Administration (WPA) put many artists to work by commissioning murals in locations

The Beach Chalet was originally a city-run restaurant when it... Photo-13215568.147527 - SFGate

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Rolling around on skates or a bike on a Sunday when the road is closed

On Sundays throughout the year, one of the park's main thoroughfares, John F Kennedy Drive, is closed to vehicle traffic from the East End (Kezar Drive) to Transverse Drive. It's also closed on Saturdays from April through September.

On Sundays throughout the year, one of the park's main thoroughfares, John F Kennedy Drive, is closed to vehicle traffic from the East End (Kezar Drive) to Transverse Drive. It's also closed on Saturdays from

On Sundays throughout the year, one of the park's main... Photo-13215569.147527 - SFGate

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Looking for the butterflies in the Academy of Science's rainforest

If you're lucky, one of the dozens of butterflies freely flying around this four-story dome will land on your shoulder. A spiral path leads you through a Bornean forest floor, then a Madagascan mid-story, and finally the canopy of a Costa Rican forest.

If you're lucky, one of the dozens of butterflies freely flying around this four-story dome will land on your shoulder. A spiral path leads you through a Bornean forest floor, then a Madagascan mid-story, and

If you're lucky, one of the dozens of butterflies freely... Photo-13215567.147527 - SFGate

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Looking for the butterflies in the Academy of Science's rainforest

Taboola Gallery Frame Item-85307.147527 - SFGate

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Working at a potter's wheel at Sharon Art Studio

It's fun to peek inside the Sharon Building, located near Kezar Stadium, and see the artists at work and view all their creations. It's even more fun to take a class and sit at one of the potter's wheels and throw a bowl. Classes and workshops are offered in drawing, painting, ceramics, jewelry, glass, folk art and more.

It's fun to peek inside the Sharon Building, located near Kezar Stadium, and see the artists at work and view all their creations. It's even more fun to take a class and sit at one of the potter's wheels and

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Shouting out in the pedestrian tunnels and listening to the echoes

When the park was built in the 1890s, horse-and-buggy traffic through the park was fierce. Underground pedestrian tunnels were built to help with crossings, and today they're fun to walk through, while shouting out and listening to the echo. They're also cool spots on hot days.

When the park was built in the 1890s, horse-and-buggy traffic through the park was fierce. Underground pedestrian tunnels were built to help with crossings, and today they're fun to walk through, while

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Reading names at the Circle of Friends in the National AIDS Memorial Grove

A spiraling pathway takes you to the center of this 10-acre memorial garden where under a thick canopy of trees the names of people who have died of aids are engraved into the flagstone.

A spiraling pathway takes you to the center of this 10-acre memorial garden where under a thick canopy of trees the names of people who have died of aids are engraved into the flagstone.

Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

A spiraling pathway takes you to the center of this 10-acre ... Photo-13215573.147527 - SFGate

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Gazing over the living roof at the California Academy of Sciences

It's easy to get engrossed with the exhibits inside this world-class science museum, but don't miss taking a set of stairs to the top of this building where a living roof of rolling grassy hills is dotted with native plants and local wildflowers. The penguins marching around their tank inside might be entertaining, but this roof celebrating the Bay Area's natural environment is soothing.

It's easy to get engrossed with the exhibits inside this world-class science museum, but don't miss taking a set of stairs to the top of this building where a living roof of rolling grassy hills is dotted with

It's easy to get engrossed with the exhibits inside this... Photo-13215574.147527 - SFGate

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Zipping down the slides at the Children's Playground

The park's main playground was renovated 10 years ago with new equipment—but the original concrete slides that slip down the hillside remain. They may be crude and worn, but they offer thrills even for adults. Tip: You'll go fastest sitting on a piece of cardboard or wearing a pair of soft pants such as sweats.

The park's main playground was renovated 10 years ago with new equipment—but the original concrete slides that slip down the hillside remain. They may be crude and worn, but they offer thrills even for

The park's main playground was renovated 10 years ago with... Photo-13215575.147527 - SFGate

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Gliding through the park on a Segway Tour

It's definitely geared to tourists but even locals will enjoy touring the park's 1,000-plus acres while a guide with Electric Tour Company shares interesting tidbits and historical facts.

It's definitely geared to tourists but even locals will enjoy touring the park's 1,000-plus acres while a guide with Electric Tour Company shares interesting tidbits and historical facts.

Photo: Christian Heeb/Getty Images/AWL Images RM

It's definitely geared to tourists but even locals will enjoy... Photo-13215577.147527 - SFGate

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Gliding through the park on a Segway Tour

Taboola Gallery Frame Item-85307.147527 - SFGate

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Marveling at the over 100-year-old giant Imperial Philodendron inside the Conservatory of Flowers

It's among the oldest of its kind in cultivation. Reaching all the way up into the central dome of the building, the enormous leaves of this supersize tropical vine can reach up to six feet in length. Built in 1879, the Conservatory was the park's first formal structure and houses galleries highlighting five different ecosystems, from tropical rain forest to cloud forest.

It's among the oldest of its kind in cultivation. Reaching all the way up into the central dome of the building, the enormous leaves of this supersize tropical vine can reach up to six feet in length. Built in

It's among the oldest of its kind in cultivation. Reaching... Photo-8299398.147527 - SFGate

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Taking in views from the top of the Hamon Observation Tower at the de Young Museum.

You have to pay to view the de Young Museum's collection of American art from 17th through the 20th centuries, but it's free to ride to the top of this tower where walls of glass overlook the city.

You have to pay to view the de Young Museum's collection of American art from 17th through the 20th centuries, but it's free to ride to the top of this tower where walls of glass overlook the city.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

You have to pay to view the de Young Museum's collection of... Photo-8101059.147527 - SFGate

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Catching the vibrant blooms at Dahlia Dell in the Fall

Steps from the Conservatory of Flowers, a collection of Dahlia's drawn from plants all around the world puts on a colorful spectacle every fall. People come from as far away as Sacramento to catch the show.

Steps from the Conservatory of Flowers, a collection of Dahlia's drawn from plants all around the world puts on a colorful spectacle every fall. People come from as far away as Sacramento to catch the show.

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

Steps from the Conservatory of Flowers, a collection of... Photo-4979614.147527 - SFGate

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Throwing a line at the casting ponds—and then listening to fishing tales in Anglers' Lodge

Who knew? On the west end of the Polo Field, there are casting ponds where fly-fishers can practice their cast. And don't miss the lodge, built during the Great Depression by the Works Progress Administration. Walk through its front door with a dry fly etched in stained glass and you'll likely find some folks sitting around tying flies or swapping fishing stories.

Who knew? On the west end of the Polo Field, there are casting ponds where fly-fishers can practice their cast. And don't miss the lodge, built during the Great Depression by the Works Progress Administration.

Who knew? On the west end of the Polo Field, there are casting... Photo-2410018.147527 - SFGate

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Throwing a line at the casting ponds—and then listening to fishing tales in Anglers' Lodge

Taboola Gallery Frame Item-85307.147527 - SFGate

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Photographing the American bison

These great beasts that once roamed the grasslands of North America can be found lumbering around in an enclosed field next to Spreckels Lake. They've been a piece of the park's history since the 1890s, and they make excellent Instagram shots.

These great beasts that once roamed the grasslands of North America can be found lumbering around in an enclosed field next to Spreckels Lake. They've been a piece of the park's history since the 1890s, and

These great beasts that once roamed the grasslands of North... Photo-8300066.147527 - SFGate

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Pitching equine footwear at the Horseshoe pits

Tucked away in the northeast corner where the Panhandle begins, 16 recently refurbished courts are a sweet spot for throwing equine footwear. A challenge tournament and BBQ occurs the first Saturday of the month, noon to 4 p.m.

Tucked away in the northeast corner where the Panhandle begins, 16 recently refurbished courts are a sweet spot for throwing equine footwear. A challenge tournament and BBQ occurs the first Saturday of the

Are you in Holland? Nope, this picturesque scene of tulips blooming around the restored North Dutch Windmill is within the western section of the park near the Beach Chalet. The 75-foot-tall windmill once pumped water and now stands as a testament to the park's past. There's also a South Murphy Windmill in the park's northwest corner that the Campaign to Save the Golden Gate Windmills is looking to restore.

Are you in Holland? Nope, this picturesque scene of tulips blooming around the restored North Dutch Windmill is within the western section of the park near the Beach Chalet. The 75-foot-tall windmill once